you get your tax refund back and the majority of it goes to pay off the credit card and next year's school tuition? Thankfully, we are holding out enough to go to Gatlinburg in May! Now that is something to look forward to!
I know you are supposed to fix your taxes so that you don't get much back--but I can't help lovin' me a little chunk a money come spring-time!
Have a great day!
*I was going to add a nice little picture of the Smoky Mountains and blogger wouldn't let me :(

We have had such a great week and the weekend looks like it will be wonderful--well, except for that nasty squall line that is due to pass through here late Saturday! Here's a re-cap:
(I'm trying to type and listen to Randy Travis sing, "Deeper Than the Holler" and it's really not going well...Hold on--got to turn it OFF! I do love me some Randy Travis.)

We actually had someone invite us over on Sunday for lunch. She made wonderful Chicken and Dumplings and a roast--oh, it was so good--especially since I didn't have to cook it! Other than accidentally spraying my hostess with the faucet sprayer, it was a wonderful time! Water all over her and the wood floors! Oops!

B. was off on Monday and after he finished doing the taxes, we went to see Bridge to Terebithia with some friends. That was such a good movie--I read the book in 5th grade and loved it then. The movie is a wonderful example of friendship and imagination! You should definitely see it...

Tuesday, we were back to the school grind--and busy with home-school PE and Upwards basketball practice. B. coaches both of the twins teams and K. helps him so I had the evening to myself. I ended up blogging the whole time! :)

We are studying the Prayer of Jabez at church on Wednesday night and I am loving it. I have asked God to expand my blogging territory! I really want to be able to help whoever I can--especially with prayer! So, if you need prayer for anything...

Yesterday, I had the wonderful pleasure of walking the river-walk with my friend. It was sunny and 75 degrees and the three mile walk was glorious. We celebrated the walk by going to a local ice-cream shop for brownie sundae's afterwards! Hey, I exercise specifically so that I can eat what I want!

This morning a friend called and asked us to her house for dinner tonight. I love it when that happens--twice this week--that's like a miracle or something! I'm looking forward to it. I've been to Curves this morning and cleaned up the trash in the yard from a raccoon getting into our cans last night--oh the joys of living in the woods! My kids said there was animal vomit all over it--I choose to believe it was something else! Yuck!

Tomorrow we have Upward basketball games and an In-House Teen Bible Quiz match--should be fun--if the weather cooperates! Pray for my trees--we always do when a storm is coming--don't want them dropping on my house. I'll post a picture so you can see what I mean!

Have a great weekend y'all!

Oh, and go see Bridge to Terebithia --and if you see Amazing Grace, let me know how it is! Sounds wonderful!

X's- Do you keep a list of things to do and cross them off? - Yes, and I have a hard time going to bed with something left on the list.

Yard- Who does what? - My husband does the mowing and weed-eating and leave raking. My kids do the flower-bed weeding and bag the leaves. I plant any flowers that I want planted--not usually very many!

ZZZ's- What is your last homemaking task for the day? - Make sure the doors are locked and run the dishwasher.

My friend, Annie, tagged me for this Thankful Meme. The idea is to write about three things you are thankful for! My first tag! How exciting! OK--here it goes:

I will start the same as Annie--I am thankful for my family, first of all my husband. B. is the most amazing person I know. If you want something done and want it done right--he is your man. If you need someone to listen--he's your man. If you are in the hospital and need someone to visit--he's your man. If you are moving and need help--he's your man. If you need someone to coach a basketball team, he's your man. If you need someone to be a basketball referee, he's your man. If you need someone to play a part in the YMCA drama, he's your man. If you need someone to fly AF airplanes, he's your man--'cause he's the best! If you need someone to call you just to check on you, he's your man. If you need prayer, he's your man... Sound busy? He is, but he still manages to be an excellent, involved father and husband. I only whine occasionally (like last night) about his commitments! I am so blessed to have him--he's my man!

My children give me more pleasure than I have ever known. K. gave me the joy of being a mother for the first time--it was thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. She is nearly 15 and is very much like her father. Not only does she look like him but she has many of his personality characteristics--including the "being there" ones. There have been many times when I have come home from town dreading all the work waiting for me and found that my daughter has already done it for me. Does a mom's heart good! I will miss her at school next year. A. and M. were blessings beyond all blessings. B. and I had just experienced the birth of our still-birth daughter, Kassidy, the year before and we were hurting. I remember thinking that getting pregnant again would be the only way I would heal. I even asked the Lord to give me twins and then I would have three children for three pregnancies. The Lord is faithful ,and even so, I was shocked to see two babies on the sonogram screen. The biggest "YES" that God has ever given me. M. is and has always been my sunshine--she lights up a place---ask anyone. A. is more compassionate and caring and cautious than anyone. He is a rock and I am proud of him.

The third thing I am thankful for is my health. My mom died of cancer 20 years ago. I am approaching the age my mom was when she passed away and it makes me so aware of what a blessing good health is. There are people all around--I've been reading a few blogs written by or for very sick people --who are hurting--dying--and still trusting God. I feel so much for them--pray for them. Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!

Well, that was easy. Let's see--I don't know many people in the blogosphere--but I will tag- Amberly and Babystepper and anyone else that wants to!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!
Ultimate Bible QuizCreate MySpace Quizzes

This was a fun little quiz to take--I don't know which ones I missed--wish I did!

Back in October, I had the privilege of visiting with my cousin in Missouri. I had a very specific reason for driving all the way up there--Lisa Welchel was in town. So--even though it means showing a picture of myself--I am posting my picture with Lisa. I just love her. When I found out she was a Christian AND a home-schooler, I was so intrigued. I have read all her books and read her website every week for years! I just know that if we really knew each other, we would be friends. I envy Sarah at In The Midst of It and DeeDee at It Coulda' Been Worse because they actually really get to call her friend! Do we look like we could be sisters? Maybe, a little?

I am really not a bad photographer--I PURPOSELY didn't get his face. He wouldn't have minded since he can be seen on another website regularly--but I kept it private anyway. We had such a fun time at the "Oscar's" and my hubby did a wonderful job singing Frank Sinatra songs--yes, while wearing camoflauge!

We had a great weekend and a couple of invitations for a meal out or at someones house so we have some left-overs from last week's menu! I love it when that happens! So, here is the plan for this week--tentatively, of course! I have posted the recipe's for Chicken and Broccoli Casserole and the Meatloaf below. I get requests for these recipe's often. Hope you enjoy!

Thank you to Laura for hosting Menu Plan Monday. Go see her for more menus!

Wednesday--Ham and Pea Pasta--we don't care for the meal they are serving at church this week so we will be eating at home before church.

Thursday--Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, purple-hull peas, and Ice-cream

Friday--We will be eating left-overs again

Saturday--Grilled chicken salads

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

1 10 oz. pkg frozen broccoli ( I use fresh or just frozen florets a lot)

4 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken or celery soup ( I prefer celery)

1/2 cup Mayo.

1/4 teaspoon curry (use a little more if you like it--this is mild)

1/2 cup Parmesan

*salt and pepper to taste

Cook Broccoli according to package directions. Drain Broccoli and spread it in a 9x13 dish. mix chicken, soup, mayo, curry, and Parmesan in a medium bowl. Spread chicken mixture over broccoli. Bake 350 for 30 minutes covered, 10 minutes uncovered. Serve over rice. This is so very good!

I started reading through the Bible again this year. The last time I started this, it took me 4 years to finish. Not because I was only studying the Bible every fourth day but because I would stop every time I did a Beth Moore study--and then pick it up again. This time I am DETERMINED to finish it in 1 year. Now I know there are some out there who are doing the Bible in 90 Days and I am highly impressed! 90 DAYS? It took me 4 YEARS to get through it the last time! I am going for a year--whether our church does a Beth Moore study or not. We just finished her study of Daniel a few weeks ago and I have managed to stay on track so far!
Anyway, I was reading in Numbers today--Numbers chapter 12 to be exact. And I have a big question-- Can any one of my two or three readers tell me why Miriam was stricken with leprosy for speaking ill of her brother Moses-- and Aaron got off scott-free for the very same thing? What is up with that? Maybe because Aaron was the High Priest-- and not just because he was a man? Hmmm...
Sometimes, it is all mystery to me! I am loving the Old Testament though. ( I love Moses too because I am like him in that I am not good at public speaking either).! I am keeping a notebook this time through and I feel like it is really helping me to soak it all up! God is so good and his Word is everlasting and life-changing!! If you're not reading, you should be!
*Updated to add: I looked my question up in my commentary--(I was being lazy to ask you!)--it says it was because Miriam was probably the chief instigator and if Aaron had been stricken, it would have been bad for the priesthood.

Not time for much of a post today. M. woke up very sick. I debated on whether or not to take her to the doctor and when I finally called at 930, the base clinic was booked for the day and couldn't see her. That is pretty typical at our base and I was so flustered. I finally took matters into my own hands and went to a civilian doctor. They were so nice and so concerned. They ran every test under the sun and M. threw up twice while we were there and her fever was 102. I felt so bad for her. They finally decided she didn't have the fl*u, mono, or str*ep but an infection in both ears and a true sinus infection. They gave her a shot of phener*gan and an antibi*otic in her bot*tom--which she was not happy about--and she came home and went to sleep. Bless her heart! Hopefully she will be much better tomorrow!

Now, I have to finish all the stuff I needed to be doing while we were at the Doctor's office--like making 100 napkin rings for our big Oscar party at church tomorrow night! I think I may be up a little late...

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From A. (and stapled to a paper airplane that came sailing into my bedroom): Dear Mom, I love you so much I can hardly bear it. You're so pretty, smart, thoughtful, and young. And you smell so good. Love, A.

From M. : Dear Mommy, We love you so much we can't express it. There isn't a better or prettier mom in all the universe. You provide so many things for us. Thank you so much. Love, M.

From K. : Happy Valentine's Day to the most precious, beautiful, wonderful, terrific, stupendous, gorgeous, outstanding mom! I love you very much and I'm extremely glad you're my mom! I wouldn't trade you for anyone in the whole world! I appreciate you taking me around everywhere even when you don't want to! I am extremely grateful for the best mom ever! I love you and admire you, K. (your first born who you love more than anyone else)

Either my kids want something, or I am a very blessed Mom! I hope it's the latter!

Saturday- Steak dinner for us, left-overs for the kids. Our church has its annual "Oscar" night this Saturday. It's a time where we get together for GREAT food, fun, and giving out awards to different people in the church for all different kinds of categories. We get all dressed up and everything. My husband did manage to get some camouflage in though--his vest and cummerbund! Oh well!

We are back home from Bible quiz--it is always such a tiring day! We did well and I am so pleased that my children were all in the top 5 in the state! They worked hard for it and I'm so proud! (Forgive my boast) Now we start studying for Regionals!
B and K went straight from quizzing to the very last basketball game of the season at the private school my children will be attending next year. I was so worn out, all I could think of was getting in the tub, having some hot chocolate, and reading for awhile. How I ended up here, I will never know!
The twins are watching Facing the Giants for the second time today. (We were in the car for 5 hours.) I so love that movie. I have now seen the end of it three times and I cry ( I mean "tears running down my face") every time. I just can't make it through the coach asking each player individually: "Now tell me, what's impossible with God?" and the response of "Nothing, Coach". As a matter of fact, I am Queen of the Cry-Face for the rest of the movie! My husband laughs at me through his own hidden tears. (Don't think I didn't see them--I know these things!) It is such an inspirational movie. We traveled an hour to see it when it came out and I have recommended it so many times. I plan to buy several copies to give as gifts. I realize that some of it seems unrealistic--but I keep reminding myself that, hey, nothing is impossible with God. Isn't that the point of the whole movie? We don't serve a "realistic" God, but instead, The God-- who knows all, sees all, loves all, and can do All!
Have a great Sunday!

Here is a precious picture of our twins shortly after turning two. How sweet is that? There are so many times, especially lately, when I miss the "littleness" of my children. I miss the way they used to talk and act. Don't get me wrong, I am so proud of how they are growing up. This poor Mama occasionally has a tough time with it and if I am having a hard time now, imagine how I will be when I have an empty nest. Oooh the pain--the agony!

What a blessing my children are. May we always remember it. As we come in to the teen/tween years, may B. and I have wisdom and may our children never stray from the Lord.

Today we leave for our last regular Bible Quiz match of the season. Bible Quiz has been a big part of our family's life since 2000. The commitment is HUGE, but the rewards are great. I remind myself of that daily! Our kids are required to study 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week, with a parent. I have two kids in Bible quiz so I end up studying with them 5 hours a week. Many times I have wanted to quit but have never felt like I could. There are several reasons:
1.I have never seen anything that keeps parents more accountable than this program. The Bible instructs us to teach our children God's Word and after all the hours I have put in during the past seven years, they had BETTER know God's Word.
2. They get to travel three hours from home, stay in a hotel,hang out with friends, and enjoy a fun activity four times a year.
3. There is usually a great end of the year trip. We have been to Disney, DollyWood, Stone Mountain, the beach, and some other fun places all free of charge to my little quizzers and their daddy--he's a quiz-master.
4. My home-schooled children have had the opportunity to compete and win 1st place at the State and Regional level.
5. My kids have learned how to work hard towards a goal.
At the beginning of each match, the quiz-master asks one of the children to pray and invariably a child will pray this prayer: "Dear Lord, help us to remember it's not about winning or losing but about hiding Your Word in our hearts. Amen" That is so sweet and precious and it shows that the parents/leaders have been teaching them the reason for this program. Competition is just a fun part of it--not the main reason for it!
I am so proud of my kids and all they have learned and I pray God will bless their hard work this weekend. Take First, babies!

I found this note ,from my son, on the counter the other morning. (Translation: "The tooth fairy is not real. I lost it last night.") In case you can't tell, there is a tooth in the box. Guess he was a little too old to still be believing anyway! The rascal didn't even tell me he lost it--how rude! He ended up losing another tooth the next night and "Ms. ToothFairy" made up for it and gave him double payment for the tooth! What's a mom to do?

12. I have home-schooled for the past 10 years but we are sending our kids next year.

13. I went to the same school Kindergarten through 12th grade and had 77 in my class.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Who knew braces cost so much? I never had them. My hubby had them 20 years ago. They were a little cheaper back then! I took K. to the orthodontist yesterday. She has a beautiful smile but her 14 year old self doesn't see it that way. Her teeth really aren't bad--only a slight 'crook'. The not-fun part is that even after our insurance pays 50%, we are still looking at $2.5K! Ugh. My husband and I agree, though, that if it makes her feel better, it will be worth it. Not that she is so insecure--she's not, but she does have typical girl issues! Wish I had had the foresight to start a "braces" fund when the kids were little!

I know not many are reading this but if you are, please say a prayer for my friend's son. He's had chemotherapy for the past two years for leukemia. The majority of the time he looks and feels perfectly healthy but he was admitted today to St. Jude's because of a fever-causing virus. His counts are low and this could potentially be serious. We serve a miracle-working God, though, and I know he will heal this 15 year old boy. Thank you!

One of my favorite ways to work out is to go to my local Curves. I have been a member there for over a year and I highly recommend it! I lost nearly 25 inches within the first 6 months. I haven't lost anymore since then--you do seem to plateau there--but I keep going in order to keep those inches off. I feel so much better about myself. Right now, I am going twice a week and running/walking three to five days a week. I have noticed such a difference in my state of mind (and the size of my hiney) since I have become a regular exerciser!

It only took me forever and a day to finally get this blog started--and I am so glad I did! I am looking forward to writing out this joyful journey of mine to share with those I love and with those who just happen along. I am a SAHM so sometimes my days are filled with what may seem of little importance in the scheme of things but I have chosen to believe the truth that my time at home with my children is the most noble and fulfilling thing I could ever do with my life!
I will be back soon to share!

I wanted to post that I am not using my real first name on this blog, but I am, instead using a variation of my middle name--just for the sake of privacy and security! Thanks for understanding and respecting that (to all those who know my real name)!